Illinois State Police
News Release

Eighty-six new officers join Illinois State Police with graduation of Cadet Class 116

Press Release Date:
December 19, 2008
|| Archived April 14, 2009

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Larry G. Trent today announced the graduation of Cadet Class 116. The 86 new officers join 417 other Troopers who have graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy since 2003.

"We're always proud of the men and women who successfully complete the rigorous training demands of the Illinois State Police Academy,” stated Director Trent. “These newly commissioned officers have made a commitment to serve the citizens of Illinois and to keep our highways safe for all travelers, and we welcome them to our ranks today.”

Members of Cadet Class 116 began their training on June 29, 2008, and went through an intensive 25-week training period. The officers underwent a regimen of physical and classroom instruction, which includes training in Terrorism Awareness, Domestic Violence, Critical Incident Response, Firearms Training, First Responder Certification, Illinois Vehicle Code, Criminal Law, Motor Carrier Safety, Emergency Pursuit Driving, Juvenile Law, Police Response to Mental Illness, and more.

The new Troopers have been assigned to the following areas of the state and will immediately begin their patrol duties, joining veteran Troopers in the effort to safeguard our state:

District 15, Downers Grove – 35 officers

District Chicago – 9 officers

District 2, Elgin – 8 officers

District 5, Lockport – 7 officers

District 1, Sterling – 5 officers

District 6, Pontiac – 5 officers

District 21, Ashkum – 4 officers

District 8, Metamora – 3 officers

District 17, LaSalle – 3 officers

District 18, Litchfield – 3 officers

District 7, East Moline – 2 officers

District 12, Effingham – 2 officers

After reporting to their district of assignment on Monday, each officer will begin a 14-week Field Training Program (FTP). During that time, probationary Troopers participate in one-on-one mentoring with Field Training Officers (FTO). As the 14 weeks progress, the officers are assigned to different FTOs and begin to take on more responsibility by performing the tasks on their own. Probationary Troopers who successfully complete the training with an FTO are advanced to solo-patrol status.

In June 2005, the ISP Merit Board implemented a new rule which allows an applicant’s education to be considered acceptable if they have either an Associate’s Degree or equivalent, and three years of continuous full-time service as a police officer with the same police agency or three years active military duty. The addition of military service as an option of work experience provides an opportunity for many veterans to join the State Police and begin a career in law enforcement.